E111: “So High School” by Taylor Swift line-by-line analysis

"In the blink of a crinkling eye, I'm sinking, our fingers entwined." This week, we're deep diving one of The Tortured Poets Department's most nostalgic and playful tracks: "So High School." We explore how this Aaron Dessner collaboration captures the giddiness of adult romance that feels refreshingly simple and unguarded—like being transported back to those butterflies-in-your-stomach moments of teenage crushes. From twinkling lights to truth or dare, we unpack how Taylor Swift uses high school imagery not to describe where she is, but how love makes her feel. Spoiler: we giggle our way through this episode like the high schoolers we once were.

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Mentioned in this episode:

High School Musical

American Pie

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

The Hills

Clueless

"So Yesterday" by Hilary Duff

Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast appearance with Taylor Swift

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Episode Highlights

[00:01] Introduction and continuation from the High School vs. High School Musical debate

[04:16] Breaking down the title: "So High School"

[16:03] "Tell me about the first time you saw me"

[25:08] "I'm watching American Pie with you on a Saturday night"

[39:02] "You know how to ball, I know Aristotle"

[48:46] No bridge? The structure of "So High School"

[50:18] Purpose discussion: Evoking feelings vs. lived experience

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This podcast is neither related to nor endorsed by Taylor Swift, her companies, or record labels. All opinions are our own. Intro music produced by Scott Zadig aka Scotty Z.